Agenda Smackdown: Lilly Pulitzer vs. Kate Spade

The other day I got a comment asking the pros and cons of the Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Spade agendas, and decided to write a whole post about it!

However when I got down to it, the agendas function pretty similarly so I do not have a whole lot of pros and cons for each, but I will explain my though process in my choice of agenda this year!

Last year I had a Lilly agenda and loved it! It was colorful and cute and I truly adored it. So this year I pre-ordered another (a jumbo this time, the pocket just wasn't cutting it). When it came however, the back of the agenda completely fell off and I was a little upset. I also noticed that the overall quality just wasn't as great as my last one, which made me seriously reconsider my choice. So I returned the Lilly and got a Kate Spade one instead. Here's why I love my Kate Spade agenda.

Unlike the Lilly Pulitzer agenda, the Kate Spade agenda's spiral binding is covered on the outside, so the back of the agenda falling off will never be a problem! This is really the thing that stood out to me the most. Also I realized I like the look more anyway. While I still love Lilly, I noticed that the Kate Spade agenda would match my other school supplies more, and I love matching. It also just seemed to be classier, I feel a little more sophisticated going into my meetings with the simple design.

So here are my final thoughts and advice:

If you love Lilly and color go for it! I am sure my experience with the quality is not normal, I probably just got a bad one. But I would advise you to see it in person before buying, rather than order online as I did.

If you like simple designs go with Kate! It's classic design is very versatile and so chic. The outside cover is handy and will protect your agenda from wear and tear.

The choice really comes down to aesthetic and what you prefer, because when I thought about it they function very similarly! They pretty much have some of the same features, just a different look.

So what will you choose, a colorful design or a simple look?

xoxo Lauren

ps: here is my post about my Kate Spad Agenda and the one of how I organized my Lilly Pulitzer Agenda

How I Organize My Agenda

To me, agendas are the core of studying and working effectively. After all it's hard to do well in school if you're always forgetting to do your work. Throughout the school year I have figured out how I can most effectively use my agenda. So here are some tips for you!

Well first you need an agenda. This one is pretty easy, but at the same time extremely difficult because of the choices. Here are some of my top favorite but ultimately I chose a Lilly Pulitzer one.

Lilly Pulitzer // Kate Spade // Moleskine

I like color coding my planner. There is more to this then the fact that it is pretty (although that is true as well). I like color coding because it makes things stand out. When wondering what chapter you had to read for your Economics class your eyes can easily search for that color (in my case green) and find the information you needed. I use Le Pens because of how smooth and colorful they are. Also, this can get sort of confusing so I make a legend (like the one above) of all the colors and what class they represent on a post it note. After a week or two the colors become second nature and you won't even have to worry about it.

I also like to highlight the things that I've have done already. Not only is it easier to see what you've done it is also pretty satisfying to mark something off your list!

Another helpful thing is to use these big, lined post it notes (mentioned in this post) to write down to do lists. I put them on the inside cover of my planner, and they are the perfect size. Of course I write all of my assignments on the day they are due in the weekly view but I also like being able to see a list of all the things I need to get done. It really helps me visualize all I need to do and put it into perspective. Also I have this inspirational quote given to me by my sorority advisor to keep me positive!

I also use the monthly view of my agenda. This way I can quickly see what I am doing each day. Here I only write important events or meetings. This view is really important when you are trying to see when you are busy or free. You can just glance at the month and know!

And the final quick tip is using these little tabs. I use them to keep track of what week I'm on and easily find it.

As always I hope this was helpful and maybe you at least learned one new tip or trick to try! Feel free to leave any comments and questions below.

xoxo Lauren

Study Tips: The Entire Semester

It's a new semester, and I'm sure just about all of us had "study more" on our new years resolution. When you think of studying you probably don't think about doing it until a few days before the test. While you definitely should study before the test, there are also a few things that you can do throughout the entire semester as well that would make studying before the test a piece of cake. Here are some of my best tips.

Writing things by hand helps you remember. Then if you want them to look more neat as well as drill the information into your head even more, you can type your notes later. I do this for every class and it really does help because you are re-reading all the information again and really committing it to memory. I put the if possible part because I know that there are some professors that you have to use a computer to type up their notes because you couldn't keep up otherwise. If this is not the case though I highly suggest hand writing and then typing them up later. Trust me you would see a difference.

You know that time you spend on Facebook and Pinterest while you are waiting for your next class to start? Yeah that could be probably be put to better use. First thing you need to do is find a quiet spot on campus that you can see yourself being productive in. It might be the library but it doesn't have to be! In fact that is where everyone else goes so it might be distracting. Explore your campus and find that one place you feel comfortable. If you stay there between classes and actually do something (example: type up your notes from the class you just went to), you are more likely to get it done then if you were to wait until that night when you know you're going to want to watch TV instead. Treat college like high school; that entire time you are on campus you should be working on something so that when you leave you are free and can do what you want! Also you can make a to do list, here is a link for a free printable. That way you can see what all you need to get done and you are more likely to do it!

Seems obvious (especially with Lilly Pulitzer agendas around) but there is a difference between owning a planner and actually using it efficiently. Write down all your assignments. You are more likely to do something when you physically see that you have something coming up. It puts things into perspective. Also to be more efficient make a to do list in order of importance.

Here are some great posts about picking out an agenda and how to organize it!
Lily Pulitzer vs. Kate Spade
How I Organize My Agenda
A Look Inside My Kate Spade Agenda

Well I don't have many tips but these three are important and will help. Also another quick tip, go to class! If you go to every class it is almost impossible to fail. Hope these were helpful!

Here are the rest of posts in the Study Tips series:

In Class
Before a Test

xoxo Lauren

*all pictures are mine

Free Printable: Assignment Tracker in Let's Cha Cha

Wow, this is my FAVORITE print this season. I have this on my planner, my iPad case and my phone case. Yes, it's a crazy obsession. Anyone I might as well go all in and get a new assignment tracker as well! So here is a new free printable for the new semester! I wish you all the best of luck and may you never forget an assignment again!

Enjoy!

xoxo Lauren

Free Printable: Assignment Tracker in Lucky Charms

Today I got an awesome request to also make my assignment tracker in Lucky Charms and here it is. I love getting suggestions from y'all so keep them coming! Also I am so sorry for my lengthy absence! I moved into my dorm a week ago and my first college class was today! I'm starting to get into the rhythm of things so hopefully I will be posting more often. If you have suggestions for any other post tell me and I'd be happy to consider it!

xoxo Lauren

Free Printable: Assignment Tracker in First Impression

I just love printables. I've found dozens on pinterest that I use. And as the first day of school draws closer and closer (less than two weeks for me) I have found more ways to keep my school work organized. Of course I love my planner, but sometimes I like to have one sheet of paper with all my assignments on it just to keep in perspective what I still have to do. It is easier for me to understand what all I have to do when it is neatly listed on one sheet of paper. Which is why I created this printable and thought I would share it with you guys! Just right click, save the image, print it out and viola! You have a cute place to write down all your school assignments.

Hope you like it! And if there is any ideas you have for a printable comment and I can make it.

xoxo Lauren